Visakhapatnam, Dec 08 (ANI): Residents of the Visakhapatnam planted new trees amid song and dance to create awareness about the need for plantation after hundreds of trees in the city were destroyed by cyclone Hudhud in October. Local residents and volunteers of India Youth for Society were seen dancing on the road to spread awareness about tree plantation. Children and parents also participated in the event with enthusiasm holding placards reading 'Adopt a plant', 'Protect Trees' and others. The dances attracted a large number of locals who stood watching and clicking pictures on their mobile phones.Dec 8, 2014

Srinagar, Dec 08 (ANI): Srinagar has been put under a tight security cover on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in the city to address a rally in the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. The rally venue has been virtually taken over by security forces. CCTV cameras have been installed inside the stadium and Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel will monitor activities of the crowd with binoculars. Besides this, the top police officers have also been given the job to monitor the proceedings of the rally. The arrangements have especially been made in the wake of the recent militant attacks in the valley which killed at least 16 people including army jawans and civilians. The attack was followed by a gun battle in the state capital, Srinagar and a grenade blast in south Kashmir. Reportedly, Defence minister Manohar Parrikar is himself monitoring the situation in Kashmir. The third phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls is scheduled to take place tomorrow.Dec 8, 2014

Exceeding expectations of the auction house, a slice of the three-year-old royal wedding cake from Prince William and Duchess Catherine's wedding was sold for $7,500 at an auction on Friday.Dec 8, 2014

Kanpur, Dec 08 (ANI): Kanpur has from long been identified with its leather industry and the industry holds a prominent place in the India’s economy. Kanpur’s leather industry is among the top ten foreign exchange earning sectors of India. Kanpur is home to almost 400 tanneries concentrated in the Jajmau suburb. These small tanneries play a crucial role in supporting the economy in ways more than one as they not only bring in foreign exchange, but also offer a means of livelihood for various small time labourers. Despite their economic contribution, concerns regarding Kanpur tanneries polluting the river Ganges have been rife. One of the major pollutants is chromium which is used as a hardening agent in leather production. However, owner of Rehman Tannery, Firoz Aalam rubbishes claims of the tanneries releasing pollutants directly into the Ganges and said that each tannery had a primary water treatment plant in place.Dec 8, 2014

Rajkot, Dec 08 (ANI): Hindus and Muslims performed community weddings under common roof upholding the saga of communal harmony. At least, 101 Hindu and Muslim couples got married at a common event in Rajkot city in Gujarat. The couples mostly belonged to economically middle and poor classes. The Hindu Brahmins and Muslim priests conducted the respective rituals in front of hundreds of invitees. A Muslim priest Sayeed Mohammad Hussain Ali said this mass wedding will spread the message of love and brotherhood among both the communities across the country. Legislator of Rajkot city, Indranil Rajguru, who organised the mass wedding said no matter what happens across the nation, Hindus and Muslims always stay together peacefully in the city. A Hindu bride, Nilam Pandya said she is lucky to get married at such a unique event.Dec 8, 2014

Vadodara, Dec 08 (ANI): A youth organisation staged protest in Vadodara as Mumbai attacks mastermind and Islamist Hafiz Saeed warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Kashmir. The protesters shouted slogans against Hafiz Saeed, burnt his effigy besides burning the Pakistan's flag. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said Saeed is making such statements as he is surprised to see large voting turnout in Kashmir assembly polls. Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a militant group banned in Pakistan but tolerated unofficially and believed to be close to the army.Dec 8, 2014

New Delhi, Dec 08 (ANI): AAP party workers protested outside Home Minister Rajnath Singh's official residence in New Delhi on Monday demanding that action in the Uber cab rape case. Protestors raised slogans and demanded that the Home Minister must act to make Delhi safe for women. The protesters questioned government's lack of action and the safety of women in the national capital. Some of the part workers were detained by police.Dec 8, 2014